Average Smartphone Users Double Data Consumption In 12 Months

Three has reported that its users have more than doubled how much mobile data they consume every month in less than a year.

It says that the average user now users 1.1gb, compared to 450mb last summer.

Three said that the rise of smartphones has seen customers with iPhones and the top Android devices use more than 1§.5gb each per month, on average.

The operator adds that less than 66% of UK consumers are allowed to use less than 1.5gb per month per their contracts.

Dave Dyson, chief executive officer, Three said: "With 95% of our smartphone customers using data on a daily basis, everyone is relying more than ever on their handset to do all the stuff they used to do on the internet at home or work. And there is no sign of this slowing down.

"Give consumers a combination of the right device, the right price plan and a mobile network built for the internet and you see a rapid behavioural shift. We are seeing more and more people using more and more data throughout the day."

The news comes on the day that Ofcom outlined fresh details of its plan to auction 4G spectrum, which is now set for early 2013.